Feral

Feral is Canadian novelist Nicole Luiken’s 17th novel. This inside look at the lives of modern-day teen werewolves demonstrates that Luiken knows how to keep her young adult audience entertained and on the edge of their seats.

The story follows 17-year-old werewolf Chloe who is frustrated and miserable because she has yet to experience the “Change”– the coming of age metamorphosis that werewolves undergo allowing them to change between werewolf and human. Chloe suffers the shunning and bullying by her peers and even adult members of the Pack while everyone waits to see if she is a “Dud”. Brooding alone in the forest one day, she picks up the scent of a new wolf, a stranger, and soon deduces that he is Marcus Jennings – the boy who died a year ago in a plane crash.

Chloe is determined to protect Marcus from the deeply suspicious and territorial Pack who see the young feral wolf as a threat. Gently, she coaxes Marcus to resume his boy form and reveal his true identity so the Pack will welcome him back. What is also revealed is her intelligence and resourcefulness as she problem solves and manipulates situations to keep Marcus safe. But when Marcus is viciously attacked by armed members of their own Pack, it triggers the Change in Chloe. She suddenly transforms into a ferocious wolf and boldly saves Marcus.

Marcus is not out of danger yet. His cloudy memories about the mysterious plane crash and the death of his family seem connected to the evil he senses within the Pack. After a year of living in the forest as a wolf following the accident, he struggles with the pressure to relearn the norms of this human world. He prefers the strength and protection his wolf form provides him, especially when it involves running in the forest with Chloe.

Meanwhile, Chloe revels in her new fully formed werewolf state. Readers thrill right along with her as she runs howling through her beloved forest, Marcus close at her side. Luiken skillfully reigns in their growing passion while still keeping their sexuality honest and exciting. Readers also witness Chloe’s growing confidence and power. She may obey the laws of the Pack, but she is not afraid to confront those in the wrong. And from high school jerks and former best friends, to serious malefactors, there are plenty of them in this story.

Readers will appreciate the sophisticated interweaving of human dynamics and wolf pack hierarchy. These werewolves behave like humans when it serves them. But protecting their werewolf history and lifestyle leads the agenda. The story is filled with werewolf lore that fans of the genre will love.

Despite a complex, multilayered plot, Luiken adeptly controls the pace and energy through most of the story. It has been thrilling to witness Chloe’s Change, and the intrigue surrounding Marcus’ story is highly engaging. Unfortunately, Luiken is unable to maintain the suspense. While the last stretch of the story is action-packed, it bogs down in plot contortions, some clumsy exposition and the late introduction of key characters. Suddenly, a lady sasquatch, members of a rival pack, an evil witch known as Baba Yaga, AND her bizarrely supernatural hut become central to the story. To be fair, Baba Yaga – found originally in 18th century Russian folklore and now referenced in everything from video games to superhero comic books – is a wonderfully evil and entertaining character. The scene in Baba Yaga’s chicken-legged, carnivorous spider-filled hut is complicated and confusing, and also delightfully terrifying. Presumably these plot lines and characters are breadcrumbs leading to a second book in the series.

The final horrifying and violent confrontation unites the Pack and is followed quickly by a satisfying conclusion. Chloe’s extraordinary leadership and courage are recognized and honoured. She reflects on the importance of belonging. But what the conclusion of Feral really celebrates is a young woman unafraid to assert her dominance and who thrives in a position of power …very thrilling stuff.